Town Attorney

The Town is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Town Attorney, an executive-level role serving as the Town’s chief legal advisor. This position is responsible for planning, directing, and participating in the delivery of complex, professional legal services to the Town Council, Town Manager, Town departments, and various boards and commissions. As the head of the Legal Department, the Town Attorney manages departmental staff, resources, and budget while ensuring high standards of legal guidance and representation across all facets of municipal operations.

Exciting New Opportunity – Be a Founding Member of a New In-House Team!

We’re hiring for a brand-new in-house position that was previously delivered through a contracted law firm, Dickinson Wright. This is a unique chance to step into a fresh role, collaborate closely with Dickinson Wright during the transition period, and lead the way in shaping a new internal team of four.

As one of the first hires, you’ll play a key role in building team culture, establishing best practices, and helping us bring this function in-house. If you’re ready to create, build, and grow a high-performing team from the ground up—while benefiting from the support of an experienced law firm during the handover—this opportunity is for you.

This at-will position, appointed by the Town Council, is a key member of the Town’s leadership team and plays a critical role in shaping policy and maintaining legal compliance. The Town Attorney provides authoritative expertise in areas such as municipal law, zoning, contracts, ordinances, resolutions, leases, and regulatory compliance, and brings broad practical knowledge to guide the Town through the legal complexities of a growing and evolving community.

The anticipated hiring range for this role is between $230,000 and $270,000 annually. It’s essential to note that the actual salary offered will be determined based on several factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training and internal equity considerations.

For more information, please click on the following link: Town Attorney

JOB CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY

Position assigned to this class serves as the Town’s chief legal advisor by planning, staffing, directing and participating in the delivery of complex, professional legal services to the Town Council, Town Manager, Town departments, boards and commissions and is accountable for directing the staff, budget, resources and operations of the Legal Department. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is an executive management level position and recognized as chief legal advisor to the municipality, specializing in areas such as municipal law, zoning, contracts, ordinances, resolutions, leases and regulatory compliance. This role is a supervisory and definitive authority within a specific discipline and demonstrates broad practical knowledge in all major functions within the Legal department. Position serves at-will and appointed by Town Council.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The following are intended to describe core work functions of this classification.  While the level and broad nature of essential duties may not change, specific work tasks will vary over time depending on the Town’s needs.

• Manages the Legal department including staff, budget, and departmental services.  
• Supervises, selects, trains, motivates and evaluates personnel; provides and coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Directs the activities of the department to include providing legal assistance to the Town Council, Town Manager, Town Clerk, Town departments, boards and commissions relative to legal matters affecting the Town; prepares and presents cases, staff reports and other necessary correspondence, and renders legal opinions. 
• Drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, development agreements, annexations, deeds, leases and other legal documents; assists in formulating proposed legislation for enactment by the State Legislature in regards to matters of interest to the Town; represents the Town in legal proceedings.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including Arizona open meeting, election and public records laws. 
• Acts as the enforcement officer for Campaign Finance related matters within the Town Clerk’s jurisdiction;  
• Attends all Town Council meetings as legal counsel and all preparation briefings with said meetings; participates on a variety of boards and commissions; attends and participates in professional groups and committees; advises on legal problems and questions; prepares legal opinions for Town Council, Town officials, departments, boards and commissions.
• Coordinates activities with outside legal counsel and consultants engaged by the Town for preparation and trial of unusually complex and important cases or other significant legal matters in which the Town may be involved.
• Anticipates legal issues and advises proactively; advises Town leadership on risk management, liability, and emerging legal trends.
• Develops, plans, and implements the Legal department’s goals and objectives; recommends and administer policies and procedures.
• Supervises the maintenance of proper records and a comprehensive reference system for the Legal department.
• Monitors and prepares department budget; performs cost control activities, monitoring revenues and expenditures ensuring effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities and time; approves requisitions.
• Participates in meetings with Town leadership and department staff; serves and participates on various committees, teams and/or with other external agencies.
• Maintains confidentiality and upholds the highest standards of legal ethics. 
• Plans, designs, operates, reviews, monitors and guides the continued improvement of departmental programs.
• Directs the planning, coordinating and monitoring of special programs, initiatives, and/or projects. 
• Oversee all contracted legal service agreements.
• Performs related work as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (at job entry)

Education and Experience:
Juris Doctorate Degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; 10 years of increasingly responsible professional legal experience in municipal law or government law practices; and 5 years of supervisory experience; or equivalent combination of directly related education and experience. Experience with water, wastewater, general utility law, and law enforcement legal practices is preferred. 

Special Requirements:
Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona and be a member in good standing in the Arizona State Bar Association (or licensed in a state with reciprocal jurisdiction with the Arizona State Bar and have the ability to be admitted to the Arizona State Bar by motion). To be eligible, Incumbents cannot be on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) list of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Active membership in the State Bar of Arizona; 
• Driver’s License;
• Maintain all certifications/licenses required at job entry.

• Advanced municipal law principles and practices, including experience with development agreements, annexation agreements, and related contracts
• Civil, criminal and administrative legal procedures;
• Managerial principles, practices, techniques and options to successfully motivate and supervise staff;
• Arizona open meeting, election and public records laws;
• Budgeting and finance principles and practices; 
• Standard office equipment including the computer and programs relevant to legal and office management;
• Applicable Federal, state and local laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations and case law;
• Municipal operations and intergovernmental procedures;
• Customer service principles and practices.

• Supervise and lead staff;
• Direct, develop, manage, identify, communicate and carry out the objectives of the department;
• Provide legal advice and counsel to Town Council, Town Officials, departments, boards and commissions;
• Navigate politically sensitive situations with professionalism and discretion; 
• Manage complex legal issues, litigation and negotiate settlements;
• Interpret and apply complex laws, applicable Federal, state and local laws, codes, ordinances, rules, regulations and judicial decisions;
• Conduct legal research and writing clear, concise legal documents;
• Use of computers and related software applications;
• Communication and interpersonal skills both oral and written, as applied to interaction with elected officials, staff, coworkers, supervisor, the general public, and other interested parties sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
• Solve problems and make sound legal decisions;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external parties.

OVERALL PHYSICAL STRENGTH DEMANDS: